Guidelines for CCAM demonstration projects
Service planning and specification
Target audience: Researchers, Public authorities commissioning research and innovation (including EU institutions), Transport authorities, Operators
- Demonstration projects are a prelude to wider roll-out of CCAM, so they need to provide results that assist such deployment beyond the direct technical scope of the project.
- The type of service operated should therefore be as close as possible to standard public or shared transport service, e.g. in terms of:
- Service frequency and amplitude, to provide a reliable and useable service that meet users’ needs, for example including evening and weekend services (currently rare among CCAM demonstration projects).
- Speed: providing a commercial speed that is competitive with other modes. In congested mixed traffic environments where automation demands low speeds for safety reasons, look at options like a) manual driving in some sensitive areas if this allows a higher speed; b) segregated and priority sections to give an advantage over other traffic and to reduced conflict areas; c) stops, doorways and ticketing/control systems that allow rapid boarding and alighting, to reduce time spent stationary at bus stops.
- Attracting a range of different kinds of users (trip purposes and social characteristics), including people with potential mobility challenges or vulnerabilities. This includes places and facilities served by the transport service, including connections to other transport services, and its flexibility (awaiting connections, minor route diversions where possible to meet demand).
- Fares and ticketing: Many or most CCAM demonstration projects to date are/were free for passengers to use, in order to attract users over a limited demonstration period. If this is the case, consideration should be given to how ticketing, fare payment and control would take place in a theoretical full-scale operation. This should include research with customers of the future full-scale operation.
- For services where hailing, booking or payment is required, there should be an option for this to be done without needing a smartphone app, both for those without this technology (or unable to use it) and for occasional, one-off travellers, who do not wish to download an app and set up an account just for a single journey.
Participatory approach for large-scale
demonstration projects
Target audience: Researchers, Public authorities commissioning research and innovation (including EU institutions), Transport authorities, Operators
- Embed participatory design from the planning phase, ensuring user voices influence not just communication but also operational decisions (e.g., routing, interface design, accessibility features).
- Use structured but flexible evaluation tools (e.g., co-created feedback forms, facilitated reflection and focus groups) to monitor inclusivity, satisfaction, and trust during the entire demonstration.
- Co-design engagement formats with local stakeholders to adapt to language, cultural, and infrastructural differences.
- Develop clear feedback loops, showing participants how their input influenced the project, thus fostering trust and longer-term engagement.
- Document and disseminate participatory outcomes as a formal part of project deliverables to influence local and EU-level policymaking.